The Delamere run is in the forest, & is good running, round the lake. And everyone was cheered in at the end. You'll just have to move, Martyn!
The Delamere run is in the forest, & is good running, round the lake. And everyone was cheered in at the end. You'll just have to move, Martyn!
Our copy of the Summer 2013 National Trust magazine hit the doormat this week and has a 6-page feature on ‘Running Wild’ at National Trust (NT) places around the country.Originally Posted by Martyn P
One page has an article on the new open water ‘super-sprint’ triathlon event being created by Alistair and Jonny Brownlee in partnership with the NT, at Fountains Abbey, North Yorkshire. To be held on 21st September 2013 www.brownleetriathon.com
On the opposite page is a picture of three chaps running down the path from Mam Tor, part of the High Peak Estate. Is one of them you?
On another page is an article highlighting the fact that Parkrun 5km events have been introduced at five NT sites so far with the numbers set to rise. The five sites are Killerton (South Devon), Plym Valley (South Devon), Sheringham Park (Norfolk), Tredegar House (Newport), and Wimpole Estate (Cambridgeshire). Have any of you done any of these events? If so how do they rate? I look forward to trying one whilst on holiday sometime.
There is also a moving endorsement by Janet, a parkrun runner and NT member who says:
“I’ve been visiting my local Trust place, Sheringham Park in Norfolk, with my family for years, and I walk the dog there every day. One Saturday morning last December, I turned up to find the car park full and people in running gear everywhere. Curious, I found out that Sheringham was hosting a weekly 5km parkrun. When I got home I talked to my 15 year old son David about it. He was recovering from a liver transplant and was keen to start building his fitness back up: we talked each other into going. The first week was a struggle – we walked most of it, and at one point I didn’t think we’d reach the finish line, but the other runners were so positive and encouraging. We came last but it was a big achievement, and each week after that got easier. I go to parkrun nearly every week now, sometimes with David, other times alone, and love it. The track at Sheringham is challenging – it can be slippery after rain with lots of hills to tackle, but the reward is worth it. I like feeling a part of something, surrounded by beautiful countryside and coastal views, doing something that’s good for you, and sharing it with other people. David is doing well and he’s exercising regularly. Completing that first parkrun was such a big step in his recovery. I can’t overstate how important it’s been to us.”
I just thought the above was worth sharing on here. I see that David has run 7 parkruns in the last 6 months, gaining a PB on nearly every one of his runs, now running lots of places above last place. Well done David, and mum Janet (also improved her times immensely in the last 6 months, over 18 outings). http://www.parkrun.org.uk/sheringham...unSeqNumber=26
And the title to this thread is: "Are Park Runs Destructive?" It gets my dander up every time I see it.
Brilliant post OB1.
I havent read all this but for what its worth I have mixed feelings about Parkruns.
Anything that gets people out running is good and the more people doing it the better, both for them and society as a whole.
I did one last week (my first) in Delamere (against Andy above!) and it was friendly and good fun, basically whats not to like!
On the other hand I am also a member of Wirral AC (Northern Vets and the FRA) and I pay an annual subscription which ensures young athletes get coaching and support including facilities and transport to events. These are the future of UK athletics and my loyalty is in supporting grass roots club infrastructure over everything else. I will continue to support my club even though I dont use many of the facilities and I will also run the odd Parkrun as they are great fun. Hopefully runners who access our sport through Parkrun will see the club benefits and join there local one.
I just hope that Parkrun does not displace competitive event organised by affiliated clubs who have greater overheads.
It could be the opposite, fasteddie. Runners who would never have joined a club but who discover the pleasure of running and improving race times through Parkrun might then decide to join a club for proper tuition, training, guidance, further improvement and more variety over just weekly 5k runs. There are plenty of fee-paying club members who run Parkruns. (I'm one of them and, like you, happy to pay my fees even though I use few of the facilities.) There are plenty more runners who will join proper clubs thanks to the introduction to running that Parkruns gave them. On another point, if these runners go on to enter races and discover the benefits of affiliation in their entry fees, that would be another reason to join a club. Some will say that Parkruns take away from official clubs, but I see the opposite as being more likely, based on my experience of Parkruns over the past 3 - 4 years.
I'm sure you're right Nick. We've always got a few members at the Delamere park runs, helping out or running. It's bound to bring us an additional member or two: we've usually got our club vests or t-shirts on.
I got into running through parkrun, subsequently joining a club and running fells, and I can point out many who are the same.
As for courses being dull, I guess trying to find an accessible local municipal venue within a large catchment area is going to be tough. Of the 13 I've done I'd say only two or three are genuinely exciting, and still nowhere near as much as a great road race like Zevenheuvelenloop or a fun fell race like Coiners.
Nowt for coming second! http://www.greatrunlocal.org/runs/no...k/2013/june/09
I organise a 10K (sorry it's on the road but is pretty hilly) the majority of my marshals this year came from Parkrun/ Local running groups as unfortunately I couldn't find enough club members willing to help out :thunbdown: the guys who turned out were enthusiastic and keen to help, I had more complements on the level of marshaling this year than ever before. I too run Parkrun/ XC/ Fell/ Road, anything that gets folk out running is great :thumbup:
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